H.R. 10464 — Paul Whelan Hostage Compensation and Reintegration Act

This section establishes the Paul Whelan Hostage Compensation and Reintegration Program. The Secretary of State must pay an eligible United States national a one-time lump-sum amount equal to the average wage index divided by 365 multiplied by the number of days unlawfully or wrongfully detained abroad. Payments are excluded from income for means-tested federal benefits, treated as damages for human suffering under the tax code, and may not be offset against insurance or workers’ compensation claims. Eligibility is barred for nationals who entered a country under a level 4 travel advisory (with exceptions for official travel, journalists, or compelling humanitarian or national interest circumstances). Attorney fees are capped at 5 percent of the award. The Secretary must publish application information online and brief returning nationals.